Apparatus for filtering liquid



1, 1967 D. E. BEDUHN APPARATUS FOR 'FILTERING LIQUID 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Feb. 28. 1963 N H u D E B E u APPARATUS FOR FILTERING LIQUID 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 28, 1963 INVEIiITOR MM 5 fiazzdm ATTORNEYMarch 21, 1967 E. BEDUHN APPARATUS FOR FILTERING LIQUID 4 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed Feb, 28, 1963 INVENTOR flam'ez E. Beaufiiz arch 21, 1967 D. E.BEDUHN 3,310,172

APPARATUS FOR FILTERING LIQUID Filed Feb. 28, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ORNEY United States Patent 3,310,172 APPARATUS FOR FILTERINGLIQUID Daniel E. Beduhn, Manitowoc, Wis., assignor to ManitowocEngineering Corp., Manitowoc, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin FiledFeb. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 261,635 16 Claims. (Cl. 210-143) This inventionrelates to apparatus for filtering a liquid, and more particularly, toimproved apparatus for filtering undesirable mat-ter, impurities and thelike from a liquid solvent being used for cleaning material in a drycleaning operation or process.

In dry cleaning operations or processes which employ a liquid cleaningsolvent there is usually provided a filter, normally of pressure type orcartridge, which functions to filter from the liquid cleaning solventundesirable matter, such as dirt, lint, impurities or the like, and theliquid cleaning solvent is circulated through the various machinery thatis being employed in the dry cleaning process or operation in cleaningthe material, such as articles of textile manufacture which may be inthe form of garments, Wearing apparel or the like, which is repeatedlydipped into and raised from the liquid cleaning solvent during the drycleaning operation or process.

In the pressure type of filter, as briefly described above, there aremany disadvantages, such as filter powders are normally required to 'beadded periodically, in many instances, daily cooking of the filter muckmay be required, a great volume of the liquid cleaning solvent may bewasted, back-washing is necessary which requires additional piping andplumbing; while the cartridge filters require frequent exchanges of thefilter cartridge, messy filter cartridges must be handled in order toplace and replace the cartridges in the system, and such replacements ofthe filter cartridges are often frequent, timeconsuming and costly, thecartridges are limited in the size of filter surface and filteringcapacity, and dry cleaning machinery which employs a filteringarrangement such as filter cartridges is normally and usually bulky,spaceconsuming and expensive.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide apparatus forfiltering liquid cleaning solvent which is employed to clean material ina dry cleaning process or operation which eliminates at least one andpossibly more of the disadvantages as stated above.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatusfor filtering a liquid.

It is a further object of this invention to provide apparatus forfiltering a liquid which employs an improved arrangement for providing asupply of unused filter medium for filtering the liquid and whichdefines an area whereat used portions of the filter medium may becollected, stowed and received after being employed to filter theliquid.

It is also a further object of this invention to provide apparatus forfiltering a liquid solvent with an improved arrangement for providing asupply of unused filter medium in the form of a continuous roll ofsheet-like fibrous-pulp, such as paper, with the arrangement furtherdefining an area whereat the used portions of the filter medium may becollected, stowed or otherwise deposited after filtering the liquid.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide apparatus forfiltering a liquid solvent with an improved arrangement for providing asupply of unusued filter medium, preferably in the form of a roll of afibrous-pulp such as paper, having controlled drive means forperiodically advancing the filter medium from the supply thereof to anarea whereat the used portions thereof may be stowed, collected orotherwise deposited after filtering the liquid.

3,310,172 Patented Mar. 21, 1967 "ice Another object of this inventionis to provide apparatus for filtering a liquid with improved structurefor positioning a filter medium in submerged relationship relative tothe liquid.

It is also another object of this invention to provide apparatus forfiltering a liquid solvent with improved structure for positioning aportion of a filter medium in submerged relationship relative to theliquid with the structure having pivotally mounted portions forreceiving the portion of the filter medium therebetween to maintain theportion of the filter medium in the submerged position and anti-frictionelements, for enabling the filter medium to be guided during movementthereof along a given course to position another portion thereof in thesubmerged relationship relative to the liquid.

An additional object of this invention is to provide apparatus forfiltering a liquid with an improved control for enabling a filter mediumto "be advanced along a given course from a fresh supply of the filtermedium to a position whereat the filter medium filters the liquid andthen to a collecting area where the used portions of the filter mediummay be stowed.

It is also an additional object of this invention to provide apparatusfor filtering a liquid solvent employed for cleaning material in a drycleaning process which enables a smaller cost per load for cleaning thematerial than may be had by more conventional types of processes nowbeing employed.

Yet it is an additional object of this invention to provide improvedapparatus for filtering a liquid solvent employed in combination withmachinery for cleaning material in a dry cleaning process or operationwhich requires the recycling of the liquid solvent through the machineryto enable maximum filtering efiiciency to be had during many consecutivecleaning cycles of the machinery in cleaning the material by re-cyclingthe liquid solvent through the machinery during the dry cleaningprocess.

It is also a further additional object of this invention to provideimproved apparatus for filtering a liquid which is durable and reliablein use, inexpensive to manufacture, and economical and eificient inoperation.

In order to overcome the dis-advantages and acquire the highly desirableobjects as stated above, the improved apparatus for filtering a liquidinaccordance with the present invention comprises the provision of acontainer wherein there may be confined a quantity of the liquid whichis to be filtered with the container maintaining the liquid at a desiredlevel. An arrangement is provided, preferably at a location within thecontainer, which is above the level of the liquid, whereat there ispositioned a supply of unused filter medium, which is preferably in theform of a continuous sheet or roll of fibrous pulp such as paper,arranged to be unrolled in response to a driven reel or spool whichdefines an area whereatthe used portions of the filter medium may becollected, stowed or deposited after being used to filter the liquid.Structure is employed and disposed intermediate the supply andcollecting areas of the filter medium for positioning and maintainingaportion of the filter medium in submerged relationship relative to theliquid level in the container. Suitable controlling, in the form ofswitch elements actuated by cam members, linkages, measuring devices,etc., are provided for enabling and controlling the periodic advancementof the filter medium along a given course which pass from the supplyarea of the filter medium through the structure and then to thecollecting area of the arrangement. The apparatus is intended to be usedin combination with various machinery and suitable means may be providedfor urging the liquid to flow through the filter medium at the submergedposition and then through appropriate conduits in a manner which willenable the filtered liquid to be re-cycled and employed to perform afunction as desired.

Other objects and important features of the subject inventive conceptwill be apparent from a study of the remaining descriptive portion ofthe specification which, when taken with the drawing, shows, describes,discloses and illustrates the preferred embodiments or modifications ofthe improved apparatus for filtering a liquid in what is now consideredto be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Still otherembodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having thebenefit of the teachings herein and such other embodiments ormodifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall withinthe scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view with portions thereof broken away, ofone possible embodiment of machinery which as illustrated is employed ina system, process or operation for dry cleaning material wherein thenovel apparatus and improved method of filtering fluid in accordancewith this invention may be employed;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational schematic view of the novel apparatusemploying the improved method for filtering a liquid taken along theline 2-2 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the novel apparatus employing theimproved method for filtering a fluid, taken along the line 3-3 ofFIGURE 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a partial plan view of an arrangement for providing a supplyof unused filter medium for the improved apparatus and novel method offiltering a fluid, taken along the line P4 of FIGURE 2 looking in thedirection of the arrows:

FIGURE 5 is a partial plan view of a control for enabling filter mediumto be advanced along a given course of the novel apparatus and theimproved method for filtering fluid taken along the line 6-5 of FIGURE 2and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the lower portion ofFIGURE 2 and illustrating in more detail structure for positioning aportion of filter medium in an operative filtering position;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view on a reduced scale of the structure illustratedin FIGURE 6, taken along the line 7-7 and looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIGURE *8 is an isometric view of one possible modification for ananti-friction element of the structure illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7;

FIGURE'9 is an isometric view of another modification of ananti-friction element similar to the element illustrated in FIGURE 8,and

FIGURE 10 is a modification of the structure for positioning the portionof the filter medium and is similar to the structure illustrated inFIGURE 6.

Attention is now directed to FIGURE 1 of the drawing wherein there isshown machinery M which for the purpose of illustration only may beconsidered as being employed in a dry cleaning system, operation orprocess in which a liquid cleaning solvent 14 is recycled throughconduit means B by means P in order to properly clean textile materialas illustrated, such as garments or the like, in a washer W with themachinery M having a filtering area F for filtering from the solvent 14undesirable material D such as dirt, lint, impurities or the like.

As shown in more detail in FIGURES 2 through 7 of the drawing, thefiltering arrangement F comprises apparatus '10 which defines acontainer or tank 12 for confining a quantity of the liquid cleaningsolvent 14, such as perchlorethylene or any other suitable solventsolution, at a desired level L for use in cleaning the articles oftextile material such as the garments which may be placed in the washerW during a dry cleaning process or operation.

Located in a zone of use in the lower portion adjacent the bottom of thecontainer 12 =below the solvent level L and completely submergedtherein, there is provided structure 16 for supporting a portion of anelongate sheet-like filter medium 18 which may be preferably formed of afibrous-pulp material such as paper or the like of indefinite length.

The structure 16 as more fully illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3, 6 and 7 ofthe drawing comprises a base portion 20 defined by spaced apartupstanding wall portions to which there is pivotally secured by suitablebracket-like elements 24 a top or upper portion 26 which is also definedby spaced apart upstanding wall portions. The pivotal movement of thetop portion 26 relative to the base portion 20 of the structure 16 isillustrated by dotted lines in FIG- URE 3 of the drawing with the motionthat is imparted to the top portion 26 having a swivel action in amanner which will be more fully described and disclosed hereinafter.

The base 2-0 and the top 26 members or portions of the structure 16'areeach open intermediate the respective wall portions thereof to enablethe solvent 14 to pass therethrough along a flow path illustrated byarrows in FIGURES 3 and 6 of the drawing from within the confines of thecontainer 12 to discharge outlet conduit means 30 which is incommunication with the means P which is preferably a conventional typeof pump device for urging filtered clean solvent to flow from theapparatus 10 to the washer W or some other similar machinery in the drycleaning system, operation or process from which the dirty usedunfiltered solvent will be returned to the confines of the container 12of the apparatus 10 through suitable return inlet conduit means 34.

A foraminous screen-like member 36 is carried by the base portion 20 ofthe structure 16 with the screen-like member 36 being disposed tosupport a portion of the filter medium 18 during the step of filteringthe solvent 14 in the container 12 with the portion of the filter medium18 fully covering the openings through the base 20 and the top 26portions of the structure 16.

A pair of roller-like anti-friction elements 38 are disposed adjacentopposed end portions of the top portion 26 of the structure 16 with thefilter medium 18 passing thereabout to enable the filter medium 18 to beadvanced along a course C as indicated by the arrows in FIGURES l, 2 and3 of the drawing, in a manner which will be described and disclosed inmore detail hereinafter.

The roller-like anti-friction guide elements 38 are each journalled tobracket-like members 40 that project from the top portion 26 of thestructure 16 and not only define a rotatable support for the respectiveelements 38, but also define guide means for guiding the filter medium18 along the course C and attention is directed to FIGURE 7 of thedrawing wherein it is to be noted that the respective members 40, ineach instance, are laterally spaced one to the other relative to thecourse C along which the filter medium 18 travels.

As shown more clearly in FIGURE 6 of the drawing, the undesirable matterD such as dirt, lint, impurities or the like, is filtered from theliquid cleaning solvent 14 and remain on the upper surface of the filtermedium 18 and on advancement of the filter medium 18- along the givencourse C the undesirable matter D will come into engagement with theroller-like element 38 which is to the downstream side of the givencourse C. In order to have a minimum area of engagement between theundesirable material D and the surface of the downstream roller-likeelement 38, the surface of the roller-like element is preferablyrecessed or relieved and one possible modification of the surface isillustrated in FIGURE 8 of the drawing wherein the surface is recessedor relieved by a plurality of peripherally disposed grooves 138 whichextend generally longitudinally relative to the roller-like element 38,while in FIGURE 9 of the drawing a plurality of laterally spacedcircumferentially extending grooves 238 are provided which are separatedby a land portion 338.

Also, Completely surrounding the structure 16, there is provided adevice 22 which comprises baffle, drum or weir-like structure whichcooperates with the container 12 to maintain the fluid-cleaning solvent14 at the desired level L and which also prevents the fluid cleaningsolvent 14 from draining through the structure 16 while the filtermedium 18 is being advanced along the given course C. The weir-likestructural device 22 is defined by an upstanding wall portion that isprovided with an opening 28 which is controlled by conventional typeflap valving 32 best illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawing. When theapparatus is functioning to filter the fluid cleaning solvent 14 theupper portion 26 of the structure 16 is seated on the base portion 20thereof. There is provided an elongate part 33 which is carried by andprojects from the upper portion 26 of the structure 16 which when theupper portion 26 is in engagement, a part 35 of the flap valving 32,with the flap valving 32 being in an open position for enabling thefluid cleaning solvent 14 to flow through the opening 28 in theupstanding portion of the weir-like structural device 22. As moreclearly illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawing, on movement of the upperportion 26 of the structure 16 from the seated engagement on the lowerportion 20 thereof, as illustrated in solid lines, to the upwardlyspaced position as illustrated in dotted lines in FIGURE 3, the part 33is disengaged from the part 35 to enable the flap valving 32 to closethe opening 28 and prevent the fluid cleaning solvent 14 from flowing inthe path through the structure 16 while the filter medium 18 is beingadvanced along the given course C.

An arrangement 42 is provided adjacent the upper portion of thecontainer 12 of the apparatus 10 for enabling a fresh clean supply ofthe filter medium 18 to be available for use as well as assuring thatthe filter medium 18 when used will be stored so that the filter medium18 will be easily and readily placed or replaced with the apparatus 10being loaded or unloaded as required for use.

The arrangement 42 comprises a suitable bracket-like suspension 46, forreceiving and rotatably supporting a fresh clean supply of unused filtermedium 48 which is preferably in the form of a roll and which furtherdefines an area wherein there is positioned a spool, reel or othersimilar winding device 50 for receiving, stowing or otherwise collectingdirty filter medium 52 having the undesirable material D thereon afterthe filter medium 18 has been employed to filter and clean the solvent14.

The spool 50 may be driven through a conventional type of drive means 54by a motor 44 in a manner which will cause the roll of clean filtermedium 48 to be advanced as desired along the given course C.

A device 56 for controlling the advancement of the filter medium 18along the course C is provided which comprises a measuring member 58 inthe form of a roller for measuring the extent of travel which the filtermedium 18 will have along the course C with the member 58 being drivenby contact with the dirty used filter medium 52 on the spool 50 andprovided with a circumference that is substantially equal to thedistance that the filter medium 18 should be advanced in order tocompletely cover the openings in the base 20 and the top 26 portions ofthe structure 16 with fresh unused clean filter medium from the supply48 after each cleaning cycle of the dry cleaning system, process,operation or at any other interval which may be desired.

The measuring member 58 is drivingly connected, in the preferredembodiment, through a chain-like drive 60 for controlling the operationof the motor 44 and as illustrated the measuring member 58 rotates ashaft 62 which in turn actuates a cam-like member 64 to open and close aswitch element 66 which in turn controls the operation of the motor 44in response to the measuring member 58 after the measuring member 58makes one complete revolution. As illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5 of thedrawing the measuring member 58 is swivelly or movably suspended fromthe shaft 62 through suitable bracket-like structure 68 to enable themeasuring member 58 to be in engagement with the dirty used filtermedium 52 on the spool 50 and to be maintained in such engagement as thefilter medium 18 is wound from the supply 48 to the storage thereof onthe spool 50. If desired, a bias, not illustrated, may be provided forurging the bracket-like structure 68 toward the dirty used filter medium52 on the spool 50 in order to maintain the measuring member 58 indriven engagement therewith.

Certain structural details of the apparatus 10 are now to be more fullydescribed and disclosed. As illustrated, the preferred embodiment of theinventive concept provides that the container 12 is of substantiallyrectangular configuration, closed on all four sides except for thedischarge conduit means 30 and inlet conduit means 34 as well as beingclosed along the bottom portion thereof.

The preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 may also be provided with aglass door 70 which is hinged to the container 12 and defines a sidewall portion thereof and which enables an operator to view the interiorof the apparatus 10 during the dry cleaning process or operation. Byproviding the apparatus 10 with the door 70 easy access is available tothe interior of the container 12 from the side thereof to facilitate inthe placing, replacing, loading, reloading of the filter medium 18 sincethe supply of fresh clean unused filter medium 48 and the spool 50containing the used dirty filter medium 52 is disposed adjacentthe'upper portion of the container 12. Further, by having access throughthe side of the container 12 by reason of the glass door 70 the operatoris permitted to position the portion of the filter medium 18 about theanti-friction elements 38 and screen-like member 36 between the base 20and top 26 portions of the structure 16 when the top portion 26 has beenpivoted or swivelled to an extended or upwardly raised position.

The upper portion of the container 12 of the apparatus 10 may be openfor permitting easy and ready access to the structural features of thearrangement 42, such as the fresh clean unused supply of filter medium48, the spool 50 having the dirty used filter medium 52 wound thereon,the drive means 54, the device 56, the measuring member 58, thechain-like drive 60, the shaft 62, the camlike member 64, the switchelement 66, the suspension members 68, etc.

Further, it has been found highly desirable that the structure 16 bealso of substantial rectangular configuration. However, other shapes maybe employed so long as the structure 16 is capable of supporting theportion of the filter medium 18 so that the means P may urge the dirtysolvent to flow in the flow path through the filter medium 18 to the drycleaning machinery W.

It is also to be noted that the rotational axes of the supply of freshclean filter medium 48, the anti-friction elements 38, the measuringmember 58 and the spool 50 are disposed in substantially parallelrelationship relative to each other.

Further, it is highly desirable that the rotational axis of the spool 50be spaced from the level L of the solvent 14 which is confined in thecontainer 12 a predetermined distance Q as shown in FIGURE 2 of thedrawing, which will permit the damp or wet dirty used filter medium 52on leaving the structure 16 to dry before being wound onto the spool 50.

A control 72 is provided for moving the top portion 26 of the structure16 relative to the base portion 20 thereof for enabling the top portion26 to be substantially fully disposed in upwardly spaced relationshiprelative to the base portion 20 throughout the full extent of thestructure 16 to enable the portion of the filter medium 18 to beadvanced along the course C. The control 72 comprises an enlarged part74 on each of the bracket-like elements 24 which are secured to andprojectfrom the base portion 20 of the structure 16 with each of theparts 74 being provided with oval shaped elongate openings 76 in whichthe top portion 26 is pivotally mounted through pivotal mounting element78 which has a cross-sectional area substantially smaller than the areadefined by the respective openings 76. Suitable securement 80, such ascotter pins, washers or the like, may be employed for maintaining thepivot element 78 within the confines of the openings 76.

Secured to the top portion 26 of the structure 16 is an elongate member82 preferably in the form of a bodily flexible cable or similar suitablemeans, with the location of the securement of the member 82 to the topportion 26 being laterally offset from the longitudinally extendingcenterline XX shown in FIGURE 7 of the drawing of the top portion 26toward the pivotal mounting of the top portion 26 to the base portion 20of the structure 16. In other words, the securement of the member 82 tothe top portion 26 is at a location which is intermediate thelongitudinally extending centerline XX of the course C of travel of thefilter medium 18 and the pivotal mounting of the top portion 26 to thebase portion 20 of the structure 16. Accordingly, a movement of themember 82 upwardly the side portion of the top portion 26 of thestructure 16 will be lifted or urged upwardly before the other or outerside portion thereof will be lifted until the pivot element 78 of thecontrol 72 engages the upper portion of the oval-shaped elongateopenings 76 at which time the upward movement of the hinged side portionof the top portion 26 will be stopped, the lost motion thereof willcease and the outer side portion of the top portion 26 may then be urgedupwardly to a position as illustrated by dotted lines in FIGURE 3 of thedrawing whereat the top portion 26 is upwardly spaced from the baseportion 20 throughout the full extent of the structure 16 to enable thefilter medium 18 to be advanced along the course C.

In order to urge the member 82 in an upward direction the member 82 isconnected to a linkage 84 which comprises a lever-like part 86 that ispivotally supported within the confines of the container 12 for pivotalmovement about an axis which is substantially parallel to the pivotalaxis defined by the pivot element 78. In connecting the member 82 to thelever-like part 86, if desirable, an adjustment 88 may be provided foradjusting the effect of the member 82 on urging the top portion 26 ofthe structure 16 in the pivotal movements as described above. The member82 is secured to the lever-like part 86 adjacent one end portion thereofand an actuator 90 preferably in the form of a bodily rigid rod-likemember is secured to the other end portion of the lever-like part 86with the pivotal mounting of the part 86 to the container 12 beingintermediate the connections of the member 82 and the actuator 90. Theactuator 90 extends generally upwardly from the connection thereof tothe part 86 and projects beyond the confines of the container 12 whereatit terminates in a knob-like part 92 and is readily available for use bythe operator of the apparatus through an automatic remote control 94illustrated schematically in FIGURE 1 of the drawing.

On movement of the knob-like part 92 generally downwardly the actuator90 pivots the part 86 in a manner to cause upward movement to the member82 which will in turn raise the top portion 26 of the structure 16 andenable the portion of filter medium 18 to be positioned and advancedalong the course C.

In operation, the roll of fresh clean unused filter medium 48 is loadedor placed on the bracket-like suspension 46 and the spool 50 having thedirty used filter medium 52 wound thereon is removed from the apparatus10 by merely opening the glass door 70 and raising the top portion 26 ofthe structure 16 relative to the base portion 20 thereof to enable theportion of the filter medium 18 to be placed between the base 20 and thetop 26 portions of the structure 16 in a position which completelycovers the openings therethrough with the free end portion of the filtermedium 18 being wound onto the spool 50. The top portion 26 of thestructure 16 is then returned into seated engagement with the baseportion 20 thereof so that the portion of the filter medium will beeffectively supported by the screen-like member 36, the glass door 70closed and the cleaning machinery W actuated to commence the cleaningoperation or process. The means P is then started and the force createdthereby acts to cause the portion of the filter medium 18 to be urgedagainst the screen-like member 36 and further causes the dirty solvent14 to pass along the flow path and be filtered by the portion of thefilter medium 18 so that the cleaned filtered solvent flows through thedischarge outlet conduit means 3-0 to the means P and then to themachinery W whereat the solvent processes the garments or material to becleaned, as the case may be, and is then returned to the container 12through the return inlet conduit means 34. The forces created onactuation of the means P are positive in action to maintain and hold theportion of the filter medium 18 against the screen-like member 36 andthe adjacent wall portions of the structure 16 in a manner to preventforeign material from passing through the fiow path of the solvent 14during the cleaning operation of the machinery W.

When desired, or as needed, which is generally at the end of anoperating cycle of the dry cleaning process or operation, the knob-likepart 92 is depressed or moved on actuation of the control 94 which inturn spaces the top portion 26 from the base portion 20 of the structure16 and the motor 44 is actuated which drives the spool to advance thefilter medium 18 along the course C with the measuring member 58 beingrotated through engagement with the supply of fresh clean unused filtermedium 48 which in turn through the drive 60 will rotate the cam-likemember 64 and at the end of one rotation of the measuring member 58 thecam-like member 64 will cut off the motor 44 through the switch element66 at which time the openings in the base 20 and top 26 portions of thestructure 16 are completely covered by a new portion of fresh cleanunused filter medium 48. The knob-like part 92 is then raised, releasedor moved by reason of the control 94 to re-position the top portion 26in seated engagement with the base portion 20 of the structure 16 andthe apparatus 10 is then ready for use in another cleaning cycle.

As previously mentioned the undesirable material D which is carried bythe upper surface of the dirty used filter medium 52 comes into contactwith the anti-friction element 38 to the downstream side of the course Calong which the filter medium 18 travels and two possible modificationsof the downstream anti-friction device 38 have been described anddisclosed above and illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9 of the drawing.

However, a further modification of the structure 16 has, in actualpractice, been found to be highly desirable in fully eliminating anycontact between the dirty used filter medium 52 and the downstreamroller-like element 38, and attention is now directed to FIGURE 10 ofthe drawings wherein such desired modification of the structure 16 isillustrated with reference characters of the 400 series being employedto designate those parts thereof which are similar to the partspreviously described and disclosed.

Basically, the modification of the structure 16 illustrated in FIGURE10, differs from the previously described and disclosed structure byhaving a top or upper portion 426 pivotally mounted to a lower or baseportion 420 along an end portion thereof rather than a side portion asin the previously described and disclosed structure. By pivotallymounting the upper portion 426 to the lower portion 420, it is possiblethat the upper portion 426 may be pivotally moved to a positionindicated by dotted lines in FIGURE 10 where-at the downstreamanti-friction element 438 is disposed beyond and in spaced relationshipto the catenary configuration which will occur in the dirty used filtermedium 452 as it passes along the given course C in advancing thefilte-r medium 418 therealong. Further, the bodily flexible cable orelongate member 482 is secured to the upper portion 426 of the structure16 at a location thereon which is near the pivotal mounting thereof tothe lower portion 420 so that the initial movement will be similar tothe movement previously described and disclosed to assure that the upperportion 426 will be spaced throughout the full extent thereof from thelower portion 420.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shownin terms of several embodiments or modifications which it has assumed inpractice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limitedby the precise embodiments or modifications herein described, disclosedshown and illustrated such other embodimerits or modifications beingintended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope of theclaims here appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for filtering a liquid, said apparatus com-prising t acontainer for maintaining a quantity of such liquid at a desired level,

means for supporting a supply of filter medium of indefinite length,

means for advancing the filter medium from the supply support through azone of use,

means for collecting the filter medium following the use thereof,

structure for positioning a portion of the filter medium in submergedrelationship to such liquid level,

said structure comprising base and top portions having aligned openingstherethrough with the position of the filter medium being disposedintermediate the base and the top portions and covering the openingstherethrough,

a control for enabling the filter medium to be advanced along a givencourse from the supply thereof to the position at the structure and thento the collecting means,

said control comprising bracket-like elements having elongate openingstherein for pivotally mounting the top portion of the structure to thebaseportion thereof,

an elongate member secured to the top portion of the structure at alocation thereon which is intermediate the longitudinally extendingcenterline thereo-fand the bracket-like elements,

a linkage comprising a lever-like part having the member secured theretoadjacent one end portion thereof and an actuator secured adjacent theother end portion,

said lever-like part being pivotally mounted intermediate the endportions thereof to effect movement to the member in a direction that isopposed to the direction of movement of the actuator, and

means for urging such liquid to flow in a path through the portion ofthe filter medium which is positioned by the structure.

2. An apparatus for filtering a liquid solvent comprising:

a container for maintaining liquid at a level;

a support for a supply of filter medium of indefinite length;

drive means to advance the filter medium from the support through a zoneof use in the container; takeup means for the filter medium followinguse thereof; a top member in the zone of use in the container, said topmember having a liquid passage therethrough; a plurality ofanti-friction guides on the top member for guiding the filter mediumfrom the support under the top member and for guiding the filter mediumfollowing use thereof from the zone of use to the takeup means;

a plurality of brackets having elongate openings therein disposed in thecontainer for pivotally supporting the top member;

means pivotally connecting the top member adjacent the edge portionthereof in the elongate openings in the brackets;

a base member in the zone of use in the container, said base memberunderlying the top member and having a liquid passage therethrough;

a foraminous member covering the passage in the base member forsupporting the filter medium during use;

means secured to the top member between the pivotal connection and thelongitudinally extending center line in the course of travel of thefilter medium under the top member for moving the top member from afirst position adjacent the base member wherein the passages of the topand the base members are aligned and the top member temporarily fixes aportion of the filter medium over the foraminous member covering thebase member passage, to a second position whereat the top member isspaced above the base member to permit the filter medium to be advancedto the takeup means and to guide the filter medium as it is beingadvanced; and

means for urging liquid to flow in a path through the passage of the topmember, the filter medium, the foraminous member and the passage of thebase member when the top member is in the first position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for moving the top membercomprises:

an elongate member secured to the top member;

a lever connected proximate one end portion thereof to the elongatemember;

means pivotally mounting the lever intermediate the end portions thereofto the container; and

an actuator engaging the other end portion of the lever for depressingthe other end portion thereof to raise the one end portion of the leverto move the top member from the first position to the second position.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further com prising:

circuit means for energizing the drive means;

a switch in the circuit means for closing the circuit means to energizethe drive means; and

means on the actuator for closing the switch when the other end portionof the lever is depressed to advance the filter medium while the topmember is in the second position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein:

the switch is a momentary switch for momentarily closing the circuitmeans;

and further comprising:

measuring means for drivingly engaging the filter medium for measuring agiven length of travel of the filter medium; and

a holding switch operatively engaged with the measuring means foropening the circuit means when a given length of the filter medium hastravelled between the top and the base members.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising:

a weir comprising upstanding sides surrounding the top and the basemembers in the container defining the zone of use with a side thereofhaving a valve aperture therein for communicating with the container;

a valve for closing the valve aperture;

a valve operator connected to the valve; and

means interconnecting the top member and the valve operator for enablingthe valve to be closed when the top member is moved from the firstposition and to prevent entry of liquid from the container to the weirwhen the top member is in the second position. 7. An apparatus forfiltering a liquid solvent comprising:

a container for maintaining the liquid solvent at a level therein;

a support for a supply of filter medium of indefinite length;

drive means for advancing the filter medium from the support through azone of use in the container;

takeup means for the filter medium following the use thereof;

a weir in the container formed of upstanding sides defining the zone ofuse with at least one side thereof having a valve aperture therein forcommunicating with the container below the liquid level;

a valve for closing the valve aperture;

a valve operator connected to the valve;

a base member in the weir having a liquid passage therethrough;

a foraminous member covering the liquid passage of the base member forsupporting the filter medium during use thereof;

a top member disposed in the weir above the base member having a liquidpassage therethrough;

a plurality of anti-friction guides on the top member for guiding thefilter medium from the support under the top member and guiding thefilter medium following use thereof to the takeup means;

means for moving the top member from a first position adjacent the basemember whereat a portion of the filter medium is temporarily fixedbetween the top and the base members and whereat the passages in the topof the base members are aligned, to a second position spaced from thebase member for permitting movement of the filter medium between the topand the base members and for guiding the movement of the filter mediumtherebetween;

means interconnecting the top member and the valve operator for closingthe valve when the top member is moved from the first position toprevent entry of the liquid from the container to the weir when the topmember is in the second position to permit advancement of the filtermedium; and

means for urging the liquid to flow in a path through the passage in thetop member, the filter medium, the foraminous member and the passage inthe base member when the top member is in the first position.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 further comprising:

circuit means for energizing the drive means to advance the filtermedium through the zone of use;

a momentary closing switch operatively engaged with the top membermoving means for momentarily closing the circuit means when the topmember is moved from the first position;

a measuring member for driving engagement with the filter medium formeasuring the travel of a predetermined length of filter medium; and

a holding switch in the circuit in operative engagement With themeasuring means for maintaining the drive means in energized conditionuntil a predetermined length of the filter medium has been advanced andopening the circuit to de-energize the drive means when saidpredetermined length of filter medium has been advanced.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

the takeup means is a takeup reel; and

the drive means is connected to the takeup reel to ad- Vance the filtermedium;

and further comprising:

a measuring member having a peripheral portion thereof for drivinglyengaging the filter medium with the peripheral portion being 12 ofsubstantially the same length as the cross-sectional dimension of thesmaller of the passages through the top and the base members whenmeasured in the direction of travel of the filter medium between the topand the base members;

a cam secured to the container;

means mounting the cam for movement;

a drive connection interconnecting the measuring member and the cam fordriving the cam as the measuring member is driven by the filter medium;

circuit means for energizing the drive means;

a first switch in the circuit means disposed in operative relationshiprelative to the cam for energizing the drive means during a majorportion of the cam cycle and deenergizing the drive means during a minorportion of the cam cycle; and

a momentarily closing switch in the circuit means disposed in operativerelationship relative to the means for moving the top member formomentarily energizing the drive means when the top member is moved fromthe first position;

whereby the drive means is maintained in energized condition by thefirst switch until a length of filter medium substantially of the lengthof the cross-sectional dimension has passed between the top and the basemembers.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the means for movingthe top member comprises:

an elongate member secured to the top member;

a lever connected adjacent one end portion thereof to the elongatemember;

means pivotally mounting the lever intermediate the end portions thereofto the container; and

an actuator engaging the other end portion of the lever for depressingthe other end portion thereof to raise the one end portion of the leverto move the top member from the first position to the second position.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 further comprising:

circuit means for energizing the drive means;

a switch in the circuit means for closing the circuit means to energizethe drive means;

means on the actuator for closing the switch when the other end portionof the lever is depressed to advance the filter medium while the topmember is in the second position.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein:

the switch is a momentary switch for momentarily closing the circuit;

and further including:

measuring means for drivingly engaging the filter medium for measuring agiven length of travel thereof;

a holding switch in the circuit means operatively engaging the measuringmeans for opening the circuit when the given length of filter medium hastravelled between the top and the base members.

13. A filtering apparatus comprising:

a container for maintaining liquid at a level;

a support for a supply of filter medium of indefinite length;

a takeup reel for the filter medium following use theremeans for drivingthe takeup reel for advancing the filter medium;

a base member having a liquid passage therethrough disposed in thecontainer;

a foraminous member covering the liquid passage 0 the base member forsupporting the filter medium during use thereof;

a top member having a liquid passage therethrough disposed in thecontainer above the base member;

a plurality of anti-friction guides on the top member for guiding thefilter medium from the support under the top member and for guiding thefilter medium following use thereof to the takeup reel;

means mounting the top member for pivotal and vertical movement in thecontainer;

means for moving the top member from a first position adjacent the basemember whereat a portion of the filter medium is temporarily fixedbetween the top and the base members and whereat the liquid passages inthe top and the base members are aligned, to a second position spacedfrom the base member to permit movement of the filter medium between thetop and the base members and guiding the movement of the filter mediumtherebetween;

a measuring member having a peripheral portion disposed for drivinglyengaging the filter medium with the peripheral portion being ofsubstantially the same length as the cross-sectional dimension of thesmaller of the passages of the base and the top members when measured inthe direction of travel of the filter medium between the top and thebase members;

a cam secured to the container;

means mounting the cam for movement;

a drive connection interconnecting the measuring member and the cam fordriving the cam when the measuring member is driven by the filtermedium;

circuit means for energizing the drive means;

a switch in the circuit means disposed in operative relationshiprelative to the cam for energizing the drive means during a majorportion of the cam cycle and de-energizing the drive means during aminor portion of the cam cycle;

a second switch in the circuit means disposed in operative relationshiprelative to the means for moving the top member for momentarilyover-riding the first switch to energize the drive means and drive thecam through the major cycle portion thereof to the minor cycle portionto advance a length of the filter medium between the top and the basemembers of substantially the same length as said cross-sectionaldimension; and

means for urging liquid to flow in a path through the of travel of thefilter medium under the top memher;

a lever connected adjacent one end portion thereof to the elongatemember;

means pivotally mounting the lever intermediate the end portions thereofto the container; and

an actuator engaging the other end portion of the lever for depressingthe other end portion of the lever to raise the one end portion thereofto move the top member from the first position to the second position;and wherein the second switch is in operative relationship relative tothe actuator of the top member moving means.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 13 further comprising:

a weir formed of upstanding sides surrounding the top and the basemembers and defining the zone of use with at least one side of the Weirhaving a valve aperture therein communicating with the container;

a valve for closing the valve aperture;

a valve operator connected to the valve; and

means interconnecting the top member and the valve operator enabling thevalve to be closed when the top member is moved from the first positionto prevent entry of liquid from the container to the Weir when the topmember is in the second position.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein the means for movingthe top member comprises:

an elongate member secured to the top member between the pivotalconnection and the longitudinally extending center line of the topmember in the course of travel of the filter medium under the topmember;

a lever connected adjacent one end portion thereof to the elongatemember;

means pivotally mounting the lever intermediate the References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS passage in the top member, the filtermedium, the g 33*132 foraminous member and the passage in the base2867324 1/1359 i; an 8 5 member when the top member is in the firstposition. 2867326 1/1959 210:387 X 14. The apparatus of claim 13 whereinthe means for 3091336 5/1963 Him 210 387 X mvingthe member mPriseS13:200:622 8/1965 Emerita 1:11: 210167 X an elongate member secured tothe top member between the pivotal connection and the longitudinallyextending center line of the top member in the course REUBEN FRIEDMAN,Primary Examiner.

SAMH-I N. ZAHARNA, Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR FILTERING A LIQUID, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING ACONTAINER FOR MAINTAINING A QUANTITY OF SUCH LIQUID AT A DESIRED LEVEL,MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A SUPPLY OF FILTER MEDIUM OF INDEFINITE LENGTH,MEANS FOR ADVANCING THE FILTER MEDIUM FROM THE SUPPLY SUPPORT THROUGH AZONE OF USE, MEANS FOR COLLECTING THE FILTER MEDIUM FOLLOWING THE USETHEREOF, STRUCTURE FOR POSITIONING A PORTION OF THE FILTER MEDIUM INSUBMERGED RELATIONSHIP TO SUCH LIQUID LEVEL, SAID STRUCTURE COMPRISINGBASE AND TOP PORTIONS HAVING ALIGNED OPENINGS THERETHROUGH WITH THEPOSITION OF THE FILTER MEDIUM BEING DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE THE BASE ANDTHE TOP PORTIONS AND COVERING THE OPENINGS THERETHROUGH, A CONTROL FORENABLING THE FILTER MEDIUM TO BE ADVANCED ALONG A GIVEN COURSE FROM THESUPPLY THEREOF TO THE POSITION AT THE STRUCTURE AND THEN TO THECOLLECTING MEANS, SAID CONTROL COMPRISING BRACKET-LIKE ELEMENTS HAVINGELONGATE OPENINGS THEREIN FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING THE TOP PORTION OF THESTRUCTURE TO THE BASE PORTION THEREOF, AN ELONGATE MEMBER SECURED TO THETOP PORTION OF THE STRUCTURE AT A LOCATION THEREON WHICH IS INTERMEDIATETHE LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CENTERLINE THEREOF AND THE BRACKET-LIKEELEMENTS, A LINKAGE COMPRISING A LEVER-LIKE PART HAVING THE MEMBERSECURED THERETO ADJACENT ONE END PORTION THEREOF AND AN ACTUATOR SECUREDADJACENT THE OTHER END PORTION, SAID LEVER-LIKE PORT BEING PIVOTALLYMOUNTED INTERMEDIATE THE END PORTIONS THEREOF TO EFFECT MOVEMENT TO THEMEMBER IN A DIRECTION THAT IS OPPOSED TO THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OFTHE ACTUATOR, AND MEANS FOR URGING SUCH LIQUID TO FLOW IN A PATH THROUGHTHE PORTION OF THE FILTER MEDIUM WHICH IS POSITIONED BY THE STRUCTURE.